In a match which has been dubbed the ‘Miracle of Montpellier’, Australia were staring down the barrel of a shock group stage exit when Cristiane put the South Americans 2-0 up in the 38th minute, but, against all the odds, they emerged with all three points.

Caitlin Foord pulled a goal back just before half time, before Player of the Match Chloe Logarzo levelled the tie in the 58th minute, with a VAR-influenced own goal from Brazilian defender Monica ultimately completing a remarkable recovery.

In desperate need of victory following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Italy, the Matildas were 2-0 down just before half-time, but goals to Caitlin Foord and Chloe Logarzo, in addition to a decisive own goal from Brazilian defender Monica secured three vital points for Ante Milicic’s side.

Another win in Australia’s final Group C clash, against Jamaica, is now almost certain to take the world number six side through to the knockout stage for the fourth successive World Cup.

Sam Kerr opened the scoring with her first career World Cup goal, but Juventus ace Bonansea scored twice in the second half to punish a listless Australia, who now have a significant challenge ahead if they are to salvage their France 2019 campaign.

The Matildas will look to bounce back against Brazil on Thursday, knowing defeat in that match could deliver a fatal blow to their knockout stage hopes.

Li Ying’s goal, scored just before half time, was the pivotal moment in a match the Steel Roses largely controlled but couldn’t kill off, despite registering three times as many goal attempts as their opponents.

The result puts China PR level with Spain – the side they will meet in the final group stage match in Le Havre on Monday – in Group B with three points, although the Steel Roses remain behind the Europeans on goal difference.

A surprise 0-0 draw against tournament minnows Argentina was far from the start the Asian champions had hoped for in France and the result will have even more damaging consequences should they fail to beat a Scotland side participating in their first World Cup.

With world number three England lying in wait in Japan’s final group stage match, Takakura agreed that three points, and nothing less, will do at Roazhon Park on Friday.

In what both coaches had branded a ‘must-win’ fixture, the Koreans led possession, shots and most other statistical indicators but once again failed to score, with an own goal from Kim Do-yeon putting them behind, before Asisat Oshoala sealed the tie for Nigeria with a late second.

Korea Republic now must not only beat Norway in their final group stage fixture, in Reims on Friday, but hope other results work in their favour if they are to return to the Round of 16, which they reached in 2015.

The reigning world champions were roundly expected to defeat the Southeast Asian side, and they lived up to expectations with three early goals, before adding another 10 more in a blistering second half to record the biggest ever World Cup win.

Well beaten, but with their arduous first assignment now behind them, Thailand’s attention now turns to what they hope will be more competitive remaining Group F fixtures against Sweden and Chile.